Hearts may lose vital pair

12 January 2011 16:30

Hearts' sole focus is now on the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after they were dumped out of the Scottish Cup by St Johnstone, but it is likely they will have to do without Kevin Kyle and Rudi Skacel at Dundee United on Saturday.

Kyle trudged off after 57 minutes of Tuesday night's 1-0 fourth-round loss to Saints at Tynecastle with a groin problem, while Skacel was not risked for the encounter due to a small calf tear.

"It was a gamble to play Kevin Kyle, he wasn't 100% and took a wee injection," said manager Jim Jefferies.

"We know how vital he is and it would've given them a lift if he had have missed the game.

"As he sat down at half-time it stiffened up and he tried to run it off and it was still aggravating him.

"It's not so much in his movement, more when he makes contact with the ball - it jars a wee bit.

"We'll have to have it scanned and see if there's any major damage. We don't think there is."

Skacel missed the contest having played in the New Year's Day Edinburgh derby success despite the calf problem he has been carrying. The Czech Republic midfielder is likely to again be absent on Saturday.

Jefferies added: "I would think he'll not be available for Saturday. There are some big matches just around the corner.

"They're all big games, but there is a tough programme so we've got to make sure that he's right. We think Saturday will come just a bit too early for him."

Source: PA